25. Jazz
25
JAZZ
T he night air hits my face as I push through The Vault's back door, my feet aching after hours in heels. All I can think about is getting home and taking a nice, hot shower.
But that's when I see that the usual black SUV isn't in its spot. I pull out my phone, checking the text I sent Marco hours ago about tonight's pickup.
No response.
That's odd. Normally, I leave around the same time, and since Nerio insisted on having me driven, I have to tell Marco when I'm ready to go. But he always answers immediately.
Is there something wrong?
A rustle behind the dumpster draws my attention. "Hello?"
Three shadows emerge from behind the building. The streetlight catches their faces — no one I recognize, but the way they move sets off every alarm bell in my head.
Where is the security? The guards? Nerio usually has at least two guys in the back, just in case. But I'm realizing for the first time I'm all alone.
"Well, look who we found." The tallest one's lips curl into a cruel smile.
I drop my purse and phone, shifting into a defensive stance like Nerio taught me. I didn’t want to feel defenseless again – not after Leo – so I’ve taken classes before to help with situations like that.
But it doesn’t stop the tremor of unease rushing through me. "Back off."
"Oh, the bitch has got claws." Another one laughs, circling to my left.
The first guy lunges. I dodge, driving my elbow into his sternum. He stumbles back with a grunt. The second man grabs for my arm — I twist away, my knee connecting with his groin.
"Bitch!" He doubles over.
The third attacker gets his arms around me from behind. I slam my head back, feeling his nose crunch. His grip loosens enough for me to break free, but the first guy recovers, tackling me against the brick wall.
"You're making this harder than it needs to be." He pins my arms as I thrash.
"Get the van!" The one I kneed barks, limping toward us.
Metal scrapes against pavement as a dark van pulls up. I kick and scream, managing to land a solid hit to someone's jaw before a hand clamps over my mouth. They drag me toward the vehicle, my heels scraping concrete.
"The Mantiones send their regards," one whispers as they shove me inside.
The door slams shut, leaving me in darkness.
Before I can get my bearings, the van lurches forward, throwing me against the metal wall. My head throbs where it connects with the steel. No windows, just darkness and the stench of oil and rust.
"Stay still." A rough hand grabs my ankle as I try to kick out.
I draw in sharp breaths through my nose, forcing myself to focus. I can make out shapes now. Four men. One driving, three in back with me. The floor vibrates beneath me as we take what feels like a sharp right turn.
"Should we tie her up?"
"Nah, she ain't going nowhere."
My eyes adjust slowly to the darkness. The interior is stripped bare except for some rope and a toolbox sliding around near the front. The men's faces are hard to make out, but their silhouettes loom over me like vultures.
Where did security go? How did they know when I'd leave? The questions spiral through my mind as panic claws at my chest.
I try to calm myself. I know that it won't take long for someone to notice that I am missing. And when they do, Nerio will come. He has to come. He always knows everything happening in his territory.
But cold reality settles in — they grabbed me so easily. Like they knew exactly when and where I'd be vulnerable.
"The boss wants her unharmed," one of them grumbles. "For now."
My stomach drops. If I doubted before, the guy who threw me in the van confirmed it. I've been picked up by the Mantiones. And God only knows what they're going to do to me now that they have me.
The van hits a pothole and I slam into the side again. Pain shoots through my shoulder. I bite back a cry, refusing to show weakness.
"Looks like Nerio's little pet ain't so tough now," one sneers, reaching for my face.
I jerk away from his touch. "Don't call me that."
"Shut her up."
A hand clamps over my mouth again. I taste blood and dirt on his palm. The city lights flash by in thin strips through the crack under the door. Left turn. Right turn. Straight for what feels like miles. I try to map it in my head but soon lose track.
My heart pounds against my ribs. Nerio will come. He has to come. I repeat it like a prayer, even as fear wraps its icy fingers around my throat.
At some point, the van screeches to a halt. My captors drag me out, zipping tying my wrists before they march me through metal doors into a dimly lit warehouse. The musty air fills my lungs, mixing with the scent of oil and rust. Empty shipping containers line the walls like giant metal coffins.
They force me to my knees on the concrete. My dress tears, gravel biting into my skin.
"Here she is, boss."
Heavy footsteps echo through the space. A man emerges from the shadows, his silver hair catching what little light filters through the grimy windows. Even without introduction, I know who he is — Don Mantione.
He crouches in front of me, his cologne overwhelming. "So this is the woman who's got Nerio acting like a lovesick fool." His fingers grip my chin. "I must say, you're prettier than I expected."
I jerk away from his touch. "I don't know what you're talking about."
He laughs, the sound bouncing off the metal walls. "Oh, but you do. Your boyfriend's been tearing through my operations like a mad dog. Three of my warehouses burned to the ground. My best men are all disappearing." His eyes harden. "All because we dared to expand into his precious territory." He raises an eyebrow. "Or was it because we dared to threaten you?"
My heart hammers against my ribs. I know that Nerio has been fighting with the Mantiones, but I don't know the logistics of it. He doesn't tell me much. And if they're looking for information, they have got the wrong girl.
"But now?" The don stands, straightening his suit jacket. "Now we have something he wants. Someone he cares about." He circles me slowly. "You should have seen how protective his men were of you at that club. Following you everywhere, watching your every move. It was almost sweet." He clucks his tongue. "Too bad we had to take them out."
"You're wrong." My voice shakes despite my effort to stay strong. "I'm just his employee."
"No." The don's smile turns cruel. "You're his weakness. And tonight, that savage rampage of his ends. One way or another."
The reality of my situation hits me like ice water. I'm not just a random target — I'm bait. And Nerio... God, what will he do when he finds out? The thought makes my stomach turn.
"Get comfortable." Mantione heads for the door that leads away from the main room of the warehouse. "You're going to help us send a very important message."
"He'll kill every last one of you for this!" I shout at Mantione's retreating back, my voice echoing off the metal walls. "You think you're so smart? You have no idea what's coming for you!"
The don pauses at the door, turning with an amused expression. "Such fire. I can see why he keeps you around." He adjusts his cufflinks. "But Nerio's not invincible. And after tonight, everyone will know it."
"You're a dead man walking," I spit.
He just laughs, the sound grating against my nerves as he disappears through the door.
Two guards remain, positioning themselves near a stack of crates about twenty feet away. I test the zip ties binding my wrists, but they're too tight. My knees ache from the concrete floor.
"Can't believe we pulled it off," one guard mutters to the other, lighting a cigarette. "Getting past Bueti's security?"
"Boss had someone on the inside." The second guard leans against a container. They're acting like I'm not even here. Maybe they think I'm just someone Nerio uses in bed, so it doesn't even matter. "Flipped one of the bartenders last week. Got the whole schedule, security rotations, everything."
"Smart." He sighs as he flicks the cigarette. "Hate we're gonna miss the hit on The Vault to fucking babysit."
"We'll probably get some action here once Nerio shows up." He shrugs. "Maybe we'll get to join in the fun at the club after."
My heart pounds as I listen, though I keep struggling so it looks like I'm not. The Vault will be packed on a Friday night. If they attack, innocent people could die. I need to warn Nerio somehow.
I scan the warehouse, noting the rusted chains hanging from the ceiling, the broken windows near the roof. There has to be something I can use. Some way for me to get out of here.
If I can get my hands free, maybe I can find a way to contact someone. Or at least stop them from attacking the club.
I'll just have to find a way to fight back.